"What are you feeding your baby?" "How do you get her to eat veggies/proteins/ fruits...?" "How do you store your food?" "But buying prepackaged is so much more convenient!" These were the questions and thoughts we'd hear from other mamas as we held our usually patient babes on our hips and chatted outside libraries, at playdates, and at parks. Over and over, caring and informed parents were asking for support with the one thing we all do day in and day out with our tots:
feed them!
We (Sarah and Nicole) had all of those same questions. Both of us were spending time in our kitchens figuring out the answers. We still didn't know each other very well at that point. Sure, we'd seen each other at common Highland Moms events or at the library storytime while our babies gurgled and smiled. What we didn't know at the time was that both of us were pretty passionate about feeding our babies with homemade, healthy food from the start. Nicole figured out everything she could about putting her gourmet cooking to the test and exposing little Sofia to as many tastes as she could, while Sarah figured that she should put her love for cooking and baking to work when it came to feeding her Ava. We scoured cookbooks, online baby food sites, and nutrition information to become as informed as we could.
In a chance email conversation, we brought up how much the Highland 'hood needs more businesses that cater to families' needs. The real needs: gathering. getting answers. feeding our kids, and feeding them well.
And the conversation was sparked. We talked with other mamas who were running similar businesses in LA and Denver, and thought through what ours might look like. And a tiny seed of an idea became a seedling.
We'd teach workshops to other moms and dads who were on the same journey; feeding their babies from beginning solids to toddlerhood and beyond. And maybe, just maybe, this would become bigger: a place to socialize. A place to learn about gardening, co-ops, making your own baby goods....
And better yet, we'd incorporate everything we knew to be true: that local organic food not only tastes better, but is kind to our planet. That making your baby food could actually be fun. That every parent out there feels like they could be doing better, and can always use new information in a non-judgemental setting. That toddlers get pickier (at least both of ours are now). That we could give a man a fish, or teach a man to fish, and the latter would pay off more.
And so, Mish Mash Homemade was born. We can't wait to see the journey this new business endeavor will take us on, and even more, how it will positively affect the lives of those around us. We hope to meet you and your little foodies soon! Stay tuned to find out more about our launch, our first workshops, and how you can become part of the Mish Mash community.
